TACOMA, Wash. – Looking to build off of its first Northwest Conference Tournament appearance in four seasons, the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team returns to the floor for 12 games this winter, four each against Whitman College, Whitworth University and crosstown rival University of Puget Sound.
 
"We're just really excited to get on the court and play," said head coach Chad Murray.  "I think we will win some games.  It's not going to be easy, but nothing good comes easy.  We're just thankful that we get this opportunity.  I have shied away from some of those outcome goals for this year because a good outcome for us will be to get 12 games in."
 
The Lutes return three starters from last season's club that went 14-12 overall and 10-6 in conference action.  Junior Jordan Thomas, one of the most dynamic players in the league and senior Seth Hall, the Lutes go-to scorer earned all-conference honors last season, while senior Kelton Williams will be the point man for the fourth-straight season.  A critical piece off the bench last season, senior Luke Worley also returns as the Lutes' hustle and garbage man. 
 
"I can't wait for all of those guys to take the next step forward," said Murray, who has rebuilt the Lute program in just three seasons in Tacoma.  "Jordan has had a tremendous offseason.  I think you're going to see an even better defender and even more reliable scorer.  With Seth, he's found a way to get better.  He just tears guys up in practice.  He's a ruthless competitor and has no mercy for who he's going up against.  Kelton is as steady as ever.  He brings a lot of intangibles to the table.  He's an encourager to the young guys and validates some of the older guys too.  Guys love to play with him.  Luke is Luke. He's always trying to take charges in practice and has been awesome and has shown a lot of improvement.  All the guys just need to be themselves.  They're good enough to win a lot of basketball games."
 
New to the program last year by way of Lower Columbia College, it took Hall most of the non-conference slate to find his footing, but the Honorable Mention All-NWC performer was able to finish the season as the team's second-leading scorer at 13.3 points per game, including a 16.8 average over the NWC slate.  Hall scored at least 20 points in the final three regular season games last year, with a career-best 29 in the regular season finale against Lewis & Clark College. 
 
Thomas, the team's best defender and slasher, was a second team all-league choice last year after leading the team in blocks (32), steals (49) and assists (86), while collecting the second-most rebounds (6.8 per game) and averaging 12.5 points.  The junior also shot an incredible 53.7 percent from the field.  Williams, the Lutes floor general, averaged 3.2 assists per game as a junior, while averaging 7.4 points per contest. 
 
PLU loses 1,000-point scorer and First Team All-NWC selection Leighton Kingma, steady leader Conor Geiger and shooter Jacob Bingham to graduation.  Looking to step up in their absence will be sophomores Brett Williams and Sean McCurdy.  Williams played in all but one game as a freshman last year and averaged 10 minutes per game, while McCurdy saw nearly six minutes of action per game after appearing in 16 of the team's 26 contests.
 
"Sean is a tremendous rebounder," said Murray.  "He's really, really strong and put together, and he uses that physicality on the glass.  There's nothing standing in his way.  Brett is just solid.  He's good in a lot of areas.  He understands our system and what we want and need out of him.  He's like a utility player.  One day he needs to play great defense, the next he needs to score a little more.  The next day he needs to facilitate a little bit.  He's willing to do it all."
 
Murray and assistant coach Alex Schilter have added eight new faces to the Lute roster for this winter.  Centralia College transfer and junior Tyler Ashmore has been a "perfect fit" according to the Lute head coach.  Freshman Sam Noland and Brandin Riedel have impressed right off the bat and should also contribute.  Ashmore and Riedel are the two tallest players on the roster at 6'5" and 6'7", respectively.    
 
With COVID-19 restrictions limiting conference play to in-state opponents only, the Lutes will get a steady dose of Whitman, Whitworth and UPS.  The four schools will play a double round robin that will feature two games against the same opponent each weekend.  The Lutes will be challenged each and every night as the Blues and the Pirates are typically at the top of the conference and despite beating the Loggers twice last season, the Lutes did so by a combined 11 points. 
 
PLU will open the 2021 slate at Olson Gymnasium against Whitman on Friday at 8:00 p.m. and will square off with the Blues again on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m.
 
Due to COVID-19 protocols, no spectators will be allowed in the facility, but you can follow the live stream and live stats on GoLutes.com.  If you'd like to have your Lute Pride represented in the stands you can join the Cutout Kingdom and purchase a life size fan cutout to be placed in the stands for each PLU home game.  Go to GoLutes.com/cutout for more information.